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Japanese Castles AD 250-1540 (Fortress) Paperback – Illustrated, April 22, 2008
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Renowned expert Stephen Turnbull examines the castles built in Japan, from the first primitive fortifications in the Yayoi Period (300 BC-AD 250) through to the first proper castles which began to be developed with the rise to power of the Yamato Court, the first emperors of Japan in around AD 250. Examining the close ties that early Japanese dynasties had to both China and Korea, Turnbull assesses how Japanese defensive architecture betrays these influences.
Also examined is the effect that the terrain in Japan had on fortifications - from the early reliance on earthworks and palisades and the development of wooden and earth castles, often sited on the top of the mountains, into more elaborate stone constructions in the 15th century. Finally, the emergence of the stone towers that are so characteristic of samurai is investigated, as is the gradual adaptation of Japanese castles to accommodate the introduction of firearms. With previously unpublished photographs from the author's private collection and full-color artwork, including detailed cutaways, this is an essential guide to the fascinating development of Japanese castles.
- Print length64 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherOsprey Publishing
- Publication dateApril 22, 2008
- Dimensions7.24 x 0.21 x 9.83 inches
- ISBN-101846032539
- ISBN-13978-1846032530
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“The book covers the complete design and implementation of castle styles and shows how the various works were modified or improved to meet the needs of the areas in which they were placed. In all, a superb addition to the Fortress series and a book that I believe you will find interesting.” ―Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (May 2008)
“After describing the history and location of these fortifications, the author presents details of their design and construction...An interesting work...” ―J.E. Kaufmann, SiteO (April 2008)
About the Author
Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn, leading him to study Illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles. A keen wargamer and modelmaker, he is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.
Product details
- Publisher : Osprey Publishing; Illustrated edition (April 22, 2008)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 64 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1846032539
- ISBN-13 : 978-1846032530
- Item Weight : 7.5 ounces
- Dimensions : 7.24 x 0.21 x 9.83 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,875,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,530 in Japanese History (Books)
- #3,591 in Military Strategy History (Books)
- #10,508 in Great Britain History (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Welcome to my Amazon page!
My name is Stephen Richard Turnbull. I have a lifelong interest in Japan, and I write books about military history and religious studies. Many are about Japan, but I also have an interest in European history and folk religion.
My latest samurai book is The Samurai Art of War as illustrated in Hojo Godai ki. It contains all 90 pictures from the 1659 edition of the great samurai classic.
Just published too is The Onin War, the first authoritative military history of the important turning point in Japanese history
I have been interested in Japan for over fifty years. I took my first degree at Cambridge and have two MAs (in Theology and Military History) from Leeds University. In 1996 I received a PhD from Leeds for my thesis on Japan’s Kakure Kirishitan, the ‘Hidden Christians’ whose brave ancestors were persecuted. In its published form the work won the Japan Festival Literary Award in 1998.
Having lectured in East Asian Studies and Theology I am now retired with the nice titles of Honorary Lecturer at Leeds, Research Associate at SOAS and Visiting Professor of Japanese Studies at Akita International University. I have published 86 books and many journal articles.
My expertise was put to use in helping design the award-winning computer strategy game Shogun Total War.
You can contact me via my website at www,stephenturnbull.com.
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The book comes well endowed with photos, drawings and illustrations that proves to be quite good. Many of the photos are taken in color and appears to be recently photographed. All are very helpful in aiding the author's narrative. Only major weakness I saw in this book was that there wasn't much diagrams on the basic design and layout of many of these castles as they developed over time. Still, since this book is an introductory format, I may be asking too much for any Osprey book to go into that much detail.
I truly hope that some day, Mr. Turnbull will actually write a real book on the Japanese castles since these Osprey books only touches the tip of the very large iceberg. Until then, this book will have to do. If you brought any or all of the author's previous Osprey fortress books on Japan, then getting this book would be a no-brainer. Its well written, superbly researched and easy to read. It does accomplished it purpose of introducing the reader to the basic history of Japanese castles during the period of 250-1540. Book come highly recommended for anyone interested in this subject matter.
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